Being mindful of an Alzheimer’s client’s memory

Alzheimer’s Solutions is also a part of Senior Home Care Solutions. Senior Home Care Solutions is a non-medical senior companion company that specializes in in-home care. We not only provide the non‑medical personal service your loved one needs, but we provide companionship along with all our services.

When a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you are not only caring for their physical needs, but now you are treating a progressive mental deterioration. At this time, both family members and caregivers are combating days where a senior loved on does not remember them.

We introduce ourselves every time we come to the home of someone with Alzheimer’s. Each and every time we see a client there is a chance that we won’t be recognized. “Hi Lee....it’s Sheila.” This way they are not embarrassed or frustrated if they have forgotten who we are and we can remind them any time it is necessary.  Our seniors with Alzheimer’s often don’t call us by name and that is OK.

With an Alzheimer’s Solutions client we put together a client sheet with profile data that we collect from the family and data we collect from out visits. We ask the family members, “Do you know of anything that triggers your parent to become upset or angry? Is there a time that is worse than others?” We also ask about any specific likes and dislikes of things to do, talk about, to eat, activities, and anything else they know would help in their care.

Because Alzheimer’s and dementia are diseases that have effects on the memory, thinking and behavior, there are many variances. Also, these are diseases that gradually get worse. With this knowledge, we know that it is important to track any changes in our clients. If we notice severe changes in an Alzheimer’s Solutions client’s memory or behavior, we communicate with the client’s family members.

It’s important to keep senior loved ones safe and to keep them happy in their homes. If it is your desire, and your loved one’s desire, to have them live in the comfort of their home, then talking to us at Alzheimer’s Solutions is your next step. We are here to make this process smooth and to provide the best in-home Alzheimer’s care possible for your loved one.

Finding the best caregiver and also a trusted caregiver can be tough. My senior companions at Senior Home Care Solutions are committed to being the best and being trustworthy. Paying close attention to a client’s health and mannerisms, or making sure they have their favorite foods are only just the beginning of what it means to be a senior companion and a reliable caregiver.

Until next time, take care.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one to experience the difference of Alzheimer’s Solutions and Senior Home Care Solutions at 315-247-6741, visit www.SyracuseSenior.com or email me, Sheila Ohstrom, at Ohstrom@twcny.rr.com with any questions you might have. You can follow us on Twitter at @SyracuseSenior and @AlzSolutions.

Sandwich Generation deals with needs of parents & kids

Senior Home Care Solutions is a non-medical senior companion company that specializes in companion and Alzheimer’s care. We not only provide the non‑medical personal service your loved one needs, but we provide companionship along with all our services.

When a child or group of siblings realizes their aging parent needs daily care, there are many thoughts and emotions that begin to surface.

The two most common situations when a family realizes they need care are these:

1. Some type of incident has happened. A stay in the hospital for sickness, a fall, a surgery of some kind, loss of a spouse or there are noticeable signs of depression.

2. There has been some type of change in their parents. The house is not as clean as it used to be, mail is piling up, they can’t do the outside work on the house anymore, they aren’t able to handle all the day to day items, the sink is full of dishes, laundry isn’t being done, they aren’t bothering to cook for themselves, they are isolating themselves by staying at home, forgetting to take medications, children fear of their parents driving, and there are changes in short-term memory.

Adult children immediately think they need to get help to make sure their loved ones are safe but do not know what is out there and how to find it. 

It’s all about peace of mind. Families will usually put together a plan to handle it themselves at first if they are local. However, if there is no family nearby, they start calling everywhere to find out what their options are. Generally speaking, families become overwhelmed by what is out there and what it costs to have care.

Today adult children are in the Sandwich Generation and it is very hard for them to manage their jobs and families in addition to their parents. It puts a lot of pressure on the children to do all of this and to do it well. When they visit the parents they are consumed by performing tasks — doctor appointments, grocery shopping, cooking, managing finances, and keeping up the house inside and out. 

So when they do visit their parents, it is not quality time — it’s work time and it becomes tedious and not enjoyable. Resentment can come into play along with guilt.     

It is rare that potential clients who call me are thinking about turning to a nursing home. If they are calling me, they do know there are options to be home — they just don’t know what they are. The term “nursing home,” has a horrible stigma and 99 percent of people want to stay in their homes regardless of the situation at hand. 

There is a line between children who do want their parents to be able to stay home, but at times that does not come with relief or peace of mind. It depends on each unique situation.

Most children want their parents to stay at home and it is usually the wishes of the parents as well. If the parents are in need of some help, it is usually affordable, but if they need lots of help in the home they don’t realize how expensive it truly is and how much is not covered by insurance. Roughly plan on $25 per hour for care of any kind and that will equate to $480 per day if you need 24-hour care.   

Finding the best caregiver and also a trusted caregiver can be tough. My senior companions at Senior Home Care Solutions are committed to being the best and being trustworthy.

Paying close attention to a client’s health and mannerisms, or making sure they have their favorite foods are only just the beginning of what it means to be a senior companion and a reliable caregiver.

Until next time, take care.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you or your loved one to experience the difference of Senior Home Care Solutions at 315-247-6741, visit www.SyracuseSenior.com or email me, Sheila Ohstrom, at Ohstrom@twcny.rr.com with any questions you might have.